Robert E. Grady leads discussion at a meeting of the Council of Economic Advisors in May. Treasurer Andrew P. Sidamon-Eristoff is left. Photo courtesy of Tim Larsen/Governor's Office

Written by

Jason Method | Statehouse Bureau

At a private dinner in New York last December, Robert E. Grady was one of some 18 guests urging Gov. Chris Christie to run for president.

Christie, as he has stated publicly and repeatedly, told his suitors he wasn't ready. Some of the guests countered that neither was President Barack Obama in 2008. "I rest my case," Christie shot back.

A month later, Grady pushed again. As they sifted through drafts of the State of the State speech inside the governor's mansion in Princeton, Grady reminded Christie that sometimes, a man does not always pick the time, but time picks the man. ...